The inflammatory cytokine profiles and ocular biometric characteristics of primary angle-closure glaucoma

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the pathogenesis of primary angle-closure disease (PACG) by measuring the anatomical structures of the anterior and posterior segments of the eye and inflammatory markers in the peripheral blood.

Methods: This case-control study enrolled patients diagnosed with acute PACG (APACG) and chronic PACG (CPACG). It also enrolled control subjects without PACG. The anterior and posterior anatomical features were measured in all study participants. The levels of interleukin (IL)-6, tumour necrosis factor-α and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in the peripheral blood were measured.

Results: This study analysed a total of 99 eyes: 34 eyes from 34 patients with APACG, 28 eyes from 28 patients with CPACG and 37 eyes from 37 control patients with senile cataract. The axis length, corneal diameter, anterior chamber depth and anterior chamber volume were significantly smaller in the APACG and CPACG groups compared with the controls. The level of IL-6 in the peripheral blood of patients with PACG was significantly lower than that of the controls. The NLR in the peripheral blood of patients with PACG was significantly greater than that of the controls.

Conclusions: Changes in the ocular anatomy and some inflammatory markers might be involved in the pathogenesis of PACG.

Keywords: Pentacam; interleukin-6; neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio; primary angle-closure glaucoma; subfoveal choroidal thickness; tumour necrosis factor-α.